User reviews

Cold case is a great comfort show: it's repetitive and predictable but in a good way, the cases are mostly interesting, and the detectives take up just the right space. The use of flashbacks and the signature emotional finals with period music are a very nice touch.

This is one the only mystery/crime drama I saw during the 2000s, and it was pretty good for what it was. It starred Kathryn Morris as Detective Lily Rush, whom took on the task of solving cold cases at the Philadelphia Police Department.

As Lily Rush, Morris displays much intelligence, care and precision while digging up clues from the old cases and interviewing those involved years ago - all the while trying to track down the criminal after spending years in hiding. This plot device gave the series a unique twist and a refreshing perspective - something different than much of the crime dramas aired during that time frame.

The show captures the humanity and emotions of all those involved in the crime; therefore, you can't help but feel connected to their plight and problems. You also get to see the personal stories of Lily Rush and her superiors and associate - all contributing some sort of added suspense to the show. The series touches a lot of subjects from wars to racial controversies (which were overused I think), and from family dysfunction to friendships gone awry. There are some episodes with political tones as well, but too bad they tend to slant a certain way every time.

The episodes were written with much intrigue and surprises, with a well-acted cast of characters and guest stars to boot. The cinematography was brilliantly done, carefully differentiating the past when the "cold case" took place and the present time.

A good mystery drama, overall.

Grade B+

Good show, nice series formed by 156 episodes, 7 seasons ,about an expert force at law, a professional squad of homicides, Philadelphia set, taking on cold cases, bringing them to life . Being starred by lone female detective Lilly, Kathryn Morris, who finds her calling when is assigned by her superior boss John Stilman : John Finn, to investigate criminal "Cold Cases" , older crimes that have ever been solved and working for Philadelphia Department . They must attempt to re-think the killing scenes and interview other people involved with the victims to find out a link to solve the criminal cases executed many years earlier. At their hard work they suffer risked incidents, at times, and dangerous situations that from time to time put them on the verge of nervous breakdown. It is well paced by using flashbacks, including nostalgic songs from the 60, 70s, 80s, 90s... Homicide is timeless but detection methods change. Hope lives, because the evidence never dies. Better late than never.

This active team is formed by following members : Lily : Kathryn Morris, she is only investigator woman , she suffered a sad past when was assaulted by a nasty attacker as a little girl. John Stillman : John Finn, he is Lily's chief, and at times her surrogate daddy figure, and the one who was there for her after being attacked by a stranger assailtant as child. Detective Scotty Valens : Danny Pino, he is a street-smart guy and Lilly's best friend, who tells her his problems, he fought with the real guilt and grief when his fiancee suffered schizofrenic visions , seeing imaginary old friends and she subsequently committed suicide. Detective Will Jeffries : Thom Barry, he is a previous Vietnam war veteran, he lost his spouse at a hit-and-run truck crash and he feels really affected still, he is a good friend to the other Inspectors. Detective Nick Vera : Jeremy Ratchford, he is an overweight inspector who was left by his wife, but he really wishes to have an ordinary family , he was eventually missed after unintentionally having detained an innocent man and accusing him as a killer . Kat Miller : Tracie Thoms, she previously worked in narcotics, she knows well the delinquency area of Philadelphia, she has a little girl daughter whose father is an ex-mobster, that is why she has family problems. Louie : Doug Spinazza, he is an specialist at the science of explosives and fire, using his weapons skills to help solve criminal cases . Frankie : Tania Raymonde, she is expert in photography at the Philadelphia police department, her skills are really necessary to discover crimes, she had a brief love relationship with Scotty. And Susan Chuang as an expertise forensic . Furthermore, Raymond J Barry, as Lily father, he was out her life throughout his infancy, however, appearing many years later when Lily was seriously injured. And Nicky Aycox as Lily's troublesome sister, she is a promiscuous girl who cheated her, the reason for Lily often resents her entire family, including her drunk mother. Adding a good plethora of guest stars showing up through the 156 episodes, such as : Michael Pare, Barbara Niven, Daniel Baldwin, Jesse Plemons, Susanna Thomson, Maggie Grace, Kevin Chapman, Silas Mitchell, DW Moffet, Jessica Tuck, Thine, Meredith Salenger, Diane Ladd, Jeffrey Nordling, John Diehl, Stacey Edwards and many others

The series was originally created by Meredith Stiehm supported by Veena Sud, Liz Garcia, Mark Pellington and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer. Being directed by notorious directors as Deran Sarafian, Marcus Siega, Tim Hunter, Bryan Spicer, Kevin Hooks, James Withmore Jr, Nelson MacCormick, Rachel Talalay, Jeffrey Hunt, Jeannot Szwarc, Andy Garcia and John Finn himself.

I found that I absolutely love this show way too late apparently. I have been checking on all steaming access for several years now and cannot find a place to watch it. I never have had the opportunity to see them all therefore certainly not in order. I am a out of the closet, unashamed binge watcher. I want to see them all. Someone please add it to a streaming format.

I starting watching COLD CASE while in a hotel room at a conference. When I returned home I found that my wife had also begin watching the very same episode. So we started making it our regular Sunday viewing. It is in a word - fantastic! The mood, the music, the actors, the back stories and the weird plots draw you in each week. In addition they work in themes that are important but they never beat you over the head with them. So far i have seen stories on the ease of getting guns and how they harm society, child abuse, pedophiles, and racism. But I never feel I am being preached to. The episode about the little boy sold into sexual slavery by his uncle and the tragic way this evil pedophile ruined his and others lives will stay with me forever. It was very heartbreaking. The opening credits and the great music by ES Posthumus ( as well as the songs that set the time, place and mood throughout the episodes) are eerie and evocative and just wonderful. I love this show.

I want to say that the music played an important role for the high ratings this show got. I personally love it! I think is the kind a show you will want to see reruns now and then. It is very emotional and pulls you in to the memories. It is really too bad that never was released on DVD and much the less on Blu-ray. I believed there is an issue with music copyrights. My hope is that the network and music studios get on some kind of an agreement and decide to release this great show. I know it's all about money.

In Philadelphia, Lilly Rush (Kathryn Morris) and Scotty Valens (Danny Pino) are police partners investigating cold cases which have been languishing in storage. Lieutenant John Stillman (John Finn) is their supervisor. They work with fellow detectives Nick Vera (Jeremy Ratchford), Will Jeffries (Thom Barry), and laster Kat Miller (Tracie Thoms).

This is a standard police procedural with a twist. The cast is good and relatively stable. Most stayed around for its run of seven seasons. It's a good thing to have that much stability. The group has good chemistry and good balance. Adding younger cast members could have allowed the show to evolve in its later years.

The show usually starts in flashback of a crime committed in the past. As the team investigates, we go back and forth in time to discover clues. The cases are not too special. They are usually not too twisted, or too grotesque. It's a good police procedural. Eventually, they did run out of steam.

The cold cases described are often fairly interesting, although the plots are very formulaic, usually starting with the most obvious suspect, then proceeding down a line of other potential suspects until they find they real perp, who was a character you barely noticed at the beginning.

My real problem with the show is that it typically spends about one third of each episode on some personal challenge of a main cast member - love triangle, criminal charges against a detective, whatever - about characters that I have not really been persuaded to care about that much.

I've watched almost every 'mainstream' crime show out there and Cold Case is definitely in my top five. The use of music, the plots, the characters... they're all amazing. Maybe I'm a bit biased because I'm an oldies-but-goodies fan, but some of the songs, along with the scenes, brought tears to my eyes. The plots are good, some are even brilliant, and I was riveted for 90% of the episodes. The ease with which scenes from the present transit with scenes from the past really gave this show its unique flavour/catch. Especially at the end, when they show the present people (victim's families, friends etc) the way they were in the past.

It also shows the problems society faced in the past, like deep racism, homophobia and other outdated concepts that are (thankfully) being fought against way more now. Each episode was done artfully, and the great cast really makes the show stand out for me.

Going to rewatch now, it's been a couple of years. (:

Justice will always find the way, even if that happens too late... The story of the show is unique and interesting, u gonna enjoy this if u love to watch justice being applied

It was a beautiful show.

Cold Case was to the point police show. It didn't BS or have boring subplots or drag on to irrlevent matters. Cold Case knew how to entertain me.

Cold Case is about police/detectives revisiting old cases from 20 to present time. More times than not they are successful in solving cases.

Cold Case was a smooth show that is very underrated. Sad so many junk TV shows like Bones was more popular.

What Can be learned? They will figure out who did it.

Verdict: An Ice Cold Case of Underrated Gold.

My wife and I have used this series to replace our sleeping pills and to sleep to at night. The slow pace and lack of action is the perfect tranquilizer, highly recommended in sleep clinics. All the seasons have the same effect, we have slept through them all.

I used to like this show. The juxtaposition of the characters, how they used to look at the time the case occurred, to how they look now, was interesting.

Now, this show seems to have gotten tiresome. The cops go about asking their questions, interspersing them with "Maybe you did ..." as if hurling unveiled accusations is a good investigative technique. One might think that they expect the 'interviewee' to break down and say, "Yes, yes! I did it. Take me in, please..." Real investigators strive to have their interviewees not even be aware that they are a suspect, so that they don't clam up.

Really tiresome.

This is brilliant ! In a time where "best shows"are simply physically exhausting to watch-this is a revelation. Each episode leaves you in deep thought-and you get insight in the feelings of both victim and criminal. And indeed others involved. Some wonderful touches, like "then and now" footage adds to the brilliance. I am still young myself (well, ok...31..) but I dislike the mtv-style of filming in many American series. Cold case gives you an opportunity to think for yourself, unlike an other popular show- where a hero with one facial expression saves the world from the bad guys over and over again. I will not name this show-seems I am the only one hating it:) But-cold case-yes, bravo. More of this please !

At the moment I'm binge watching the series backwards. (mid season 3 now) Qua characters, It's nice to see "old acquaintances" back again. I love the concept and stories, a great variety of subject matters.

What I especially love is the choice of music: wonderful oldies coming by - a treat on it's own.

If you're looking for for decent detective series, with skilled actors and excellent supporting songs, this is the series for you.

So happy to see this show is back. Thank you HBO Max.

I prefer the Canadian original Cold Squad, they remade this for US TV, while it is good, Vancouver based original is better, Canada show gets a 9/10 cold case rates a 6 for me. I like the flash back scenes of showing the characters as they were younger to a certain degree, but the nostalgia doesn't appeal for long...gets old .

I liked cold squad for adding in stories that involved the main characters lives, also that it was Vancouver and not masquerading as an American city. Well acted on both shows , though.

A little predictable, but nice touch that they tie up loose ends and solve the cases.

This show is set in Philadelphia.

The show stars the beautiful, talented & gifted Kathryn Morris, a Temple University grad (Temple made!) who shines in her role as a Philly cop who specialises in solving Cold Case Files.

The show is based in part on an older Canadian show with a similar concept, but skip the Canadian show--boring and nowhere near the acting, music or production value.

Cold Case feeds off of several different tributaries into a mighty river of greatness;

1) a tremendous soundtrack. The original show licensed original great music to accentuate the various periods the cold cases represented. For this reason, the show never got to DVD; licensing fees were too high, ASCAP-BMI.

2) a great set of scripts. Wonderful screenplays wall to wall. Not just procedural hack jobs, but quirky and original scripts. Plus, the local Philly angle is accentuated.

3). Tremendous acting. Morris is perfect in the lead role-she kills it in every episode. But not just her, all of the ensemble cast, from Danny Pino, John Finn, all the way down the line.

4) killer guest stars who are legit authentic. In fact, the show reeks of authenticity.

5). The show has some great hallmarks of its own; one great hook is having key characters appear as themselves in the present, but then a second later as they were when the cold case occurred long ago. This is a very clever directorial technique that never gets tired!

I could go on, but to summarize, this shoe is a huge achievement by everyone associated with it.

Thank you to HBO MAX for re-streaming this wonderful US Series. Thank You 🙏!

Make no mistake, I like this show, i like the cast, and I like the idea, but there are two things about it that consistently bug me.

First, the show uses every trick in the book to manipulate the viewer's emotions, culminating in the "ghosts" of the victims etc. making tear-jerking appearances (presumably in the main character's imagination) at the end.

But the biggest weakness is that the crimes frequently lack a convincing motive -- so many episodes end with our discovering that the killer didn't really have a good reason to commit the crime. It may be that this is a common feature of cold cases, but realism isn't a big feature of the show in general, so why the writers would do this escapes me. Usually the red herrings have much stronger motives, which makes almost every episode's outcome seem forced.

It's a nicely acted, well put together show, with a laudable agenda (teaching history, especially civil rights) to it's audience — I just wish they could put in plausible motives.

Why aren't these TV shows obligated to film a final episode for their loyal fans? Or a TV movie. Love this show and feel that we, the fans mean nothing to the executives that make these decisions. As a senior viewer I have enjoyed the seven years of the original seasons and now the reruns on the ion station. The stories were always very interesting especially with the flashback scenes. The music of the times brought back some very fond memories for myself and others I'm sure. We were drawn into the personal lives of Lilly and Scotty and never were given the opportunity to see if Lil found her sister Christina who Lil always tried to protect. How about that Movie?

I'm loyal to this show, but I see its' flaws. I have to admit that the flaws are part of the fun. Two of the regular actors are hilarious caricatures of hard-boiled detectives. Law and Order does that too, but it's less entertaining with them.

But there is an exception and she's the lead female. This actress, Kathryn Morris is intriguing. She's human in the way the others aren't. Her face depicts her compassion, a distant sadness from a dysfunctional childhood, and just the right amount of cynicism.

I do love the Philadelphia setting. It's gritty and perfect for hard luck stories of the local working class. I like how they depict the sociology of different neighborhoods.

The time period music effect is a bit heavy-handed, but sometimes it works. I like it better at the end when they bring in the culprit in cuffs, rather than during the flashback scenes where it's just obnoxious. As someone else mentioned, the best effect is when you see a suspect's face change from present to past and back to present as they speak.

Many of the stories are politically correct. For example, a big corporation covering up asbestos poisoning,gays suffering discrimination, Japanese-American internment,or corrupt rich guys cheating. Not that those things didn't happen.

Nevertheless, you have to give them credit for coming up with some intricate plots. It's fun to figure out who may have done the murder, based on the show's formula.

Overall, a worthwhile hour. Also, they don't give you the gore and sadistic serial killer scenes that Criminal Minds is famous for. They focus on the flashbacks and interviews.

If it wasn't for some cases silly conclusions, with awkward music choices. The show would get a better rating from me. Obviously, the best moments are the flashbacks. Taking us back to different years/decades, with a soundtrack fitting each of it. But the soap is good too and give the series a renewed appeal, when investigators private lives, get just as messy as their « cold cases » victims. I doubt the show will ever get a DVD or streaming release, because of the music copyright issues. And I refuse to watch the series, without the original soundtrack, which is a character on its own. So I hope channels will keep broadcasting it, as long as long as possible. Because it's very good, and one of the my favorite procedurals.

Original series with a lot of interesting cases.

Still, there are some clear flaws in the series which unfortunately become more glaring season after season.

Now, first, like I said before, the series is very good, interesting & is filmed in an original way. Showing both flashbacks as present to complete the episodes.

Overall, the series takes a case by case approach, nothing too flashy, some very good and others are just 'buh".

For the problems, character development is a real missing point here, whereas the characters barely meet other people, you barely see a family member, or a personal (back) story. Not saying there aren't any but they sure are limited. There are also too many coincidences imo and I wish they would've used more bigger stories, for example, a serial killer spread over a couple episodes. Those always are the most interesting. A last problem for me, is the fact that most cases are just too "simple", for ex. A friend, a family member who randomly takes a gun and shoots someone. Not many, like mentioned before, premeditated killings, or even active ones, which would make the storyline & pace of the season a lot better imo.

To finish, I want to reiterate I like the show, but lack of backstory & storyline are a surely a downer...